Cadillac CTS First Generation Forum - 2003 - 2007 Discussion, Where to install DRL LEDs on a CTS in Cadillac CTS Coupe, Sport Sedan and Sport Wagon Forums; Originally Posted by CTSUK
Any of these should be ok im sure:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_sa...s&amp;LH_PrefLoc=3
I am sure that any of those ...

Re: Where to install DRL LEDs on a CTS

Originally Posted by chlapec10

The grill option look great, although here it woulb not be approved since the lights are obstructed (EU bureaucracy strikes again) you would either have to put them on the grill or cut a hole in the grill

With the style of grille you've got I don't see why the lights would be "obstructed". There are a bazillion different LED options out there with very low profile, flexible strips that could mount in one of the openings of your existing grille. They would hardly be visible when the car is off, and wouldn't be obstructed when they were on.

Originally Posted by chlapec10

Anyway, I emailed to some shops that specialize on EU-approved DLRs here in europe, of course they never heard of anything like a CTS but they basically gave me 2 options:

As I mentioned above, there are also flexible strips, which can be cut to the desired length and can be "hidden" a bit. Your option #1 would be best if you choose to mount them down in the lower air dam, but if you did any of the other options I show below, I would go with one of the flexible strips.

I've seen pictures of them installed underneath the headlights. You might have to do a little digging, but I found some pics on Google using various combinations of "CTS LED strip headlights". Here's one from this forum, although I've seen better.

There's also this thread where the guy cracked open the headlights and installed them inside.

Of the options the shop proposed, I would go with the LED bars in the lower air dam. I wouldn't want to drill holes in the bumper cover to mount the individual LEDs - it might look cool, or it might not. If it turns out you don't like the way it looks, then you're stuck with a bunch of holes in your bumper.

Here are a few options. (I understand yours wouldn't be yellow, I just used yellow to make it stand out in the picture a little better.)

I think the options down low - either in the center opening of the bumper, or in the fog/DRL opening - would look the best.

Re: Where to install DRL LEDs on a CTS

Thanks for your insight.

Unfortunately I can't install any led bar or led strips, they have to have a E-mark (European homological certificate that they are Street Legal), and sadly, I found no flexible strips that have the E-mark, the most flexible being the version with separate holes

I think he's doing all this because he has to to avoid having to drive around with headlights on as DRLs, not just to rice out his caddy ahah.

Originally Posted by chlapec10

Thanks for your insight.

Unfortunately I can't install any led bar or led strips, they have to have a E-mark (European homological certificate that they are Street Legal), and sadly, I found no flexible strips that have the E-mark, the most flexible being the version with separate holes

Do they not allow the little triangular lights in the headlight cluster to be daytime lamps?

I almost sure you have the same rules regarding the E-mark, as this is European Union law, even the lights you posted have the E-certification, otherwise they would not be street legal. emark.jpg
Regarding mandatory DRL i don't know, every country has that differently.

Originally Posted by ham4864

you should buy a audi then, or a honda and RICE it out.

Originally Posted by CadillacAsAlways

I think he's doing all this because he has to to avoid having to drive around with headlights on as DRLs, not just to rice out his caddy ahah.

That is the only reason.. I am not going to "tune" anything after that(maybe a black mesh grill, if at all), I like the CTS as it is... But, since the law is as is.. I have to adapt

No offense, but all this European regulation is kinda ridiculous...

Originally Posted by CadillacAsAlways

Ahhh just trying to tread lightly on the feelings of our friends from across the pond hahahahah

No hard feelings It is as it is.... And I myself could tell how mush BS the regulations come up with, this being the smallest of them. (Did I tell you that a gallon of regular gas (95 petrol) costs here around 7.55 USD )

Re: Where to install DRL LEDs on a CTS

other than the E marks the driver lamps can be the small triangles, passed its mot inspection without issue with those as the daytime running lamps, different rules for different countries, we still have the pound rather than the euro!

Re: Where to install DRL LEDs on a CTS

Originally Posted by CadillacAsAlways

No offense, but all this European regulation is kinda ridiculous...

I'd rather have the European regulations (and, more importantly, rigid enforcement of the standards) than the utter lack of enforcement we have here. I would love to be able to drive around at night without being blinded by the idiot in his Civic or LeSabre or Camry or jacked up F150 with improperly installed, poorly aimed bright blueish-purple HIDs, reverse lights that come on when they hit the brakes, etc etc.

I'd rather have the European regulations (and, more importantly, rigid enforcement of the standards) than the utter lack of enforcement we have here. I would love to be able to drive around at night without being blinded by the idiot in his Civic or LeSabre or Camry or jacked up F150 with improperly installed, poorly aimed bright blueish-purple HIDs, reverse lights that come on when they hit the brakes, etc etc.

I certainly see where you're coming from...but not me! I like being able to make "illegal" modifications to my car and being able to get away with them.
i.e., my electric cutout which is supposedly a noise and emission violation in my state...